Head of Merchandise Planning
An exciting opportunity has opened for a Head of Merchandise Planning to join an active lifestyle brand.
About the Role
This is a high-impact leadership position for a commercially-minded planner who thrives in fast-paced environments, loves solving complex product challenges, and is motivated by building high-performing teams. If you're ready to influence strategy, elevate planning capability, and shape the product future of a brand with global momentum.
* Competitive salary package
* Work-from-home flexibility
* A brand experiencing significant growth - offering real progression opportunities
* A business that genuinely invests in coaching, leadership development, and wellbeing
Key Responsibilities
In this role, you'll lead the merchandise planning function across retail, e-commerce, and emerging markets. You'll build scalable planning frameworks, balance risk and opportunity, and ensure inventory supports commercial objectives while staying true to brand vision. You'll also play a central role in developing the next generation of planners—building capability, clarity, and career pathways.
1. Manage OTB and full assortment planning to achieve sales, margin, and stock-turn goals
2. Provide option counts, category budgets, and strategic insights to the Merchandise team
3. Oversee inventory flow across e-commerce and retail to align with the merchandise and marketing calendars
4. Lead, coach, and elevate a planning team—building capability and supporting succession
5. Partner with Finance on merchandise budgets, forecasts, and profitability targets
Requirements
To be successful in this role, you'll need:
* Proven success in senior or leadership roles within merchandise planning (active, lifestyle, or apparel highly regarded)
* Strong analytical capability and strategic thinking
* Ability to translate data into simple, actionable insights
* Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
* Proficiency with retail analytics tools and advanced Excel
* A passion for performance-driven retail and community-led brands
Seniority level: Mid-Senior
Employment type: Full-time
Job function: Retail Apparel and Fashion